Get to know the business too
In addition to raising the artistic profile of young female musicians, the SOFIA funding project also aims to improve their networking and self-marketing. Applications for the first implementation can now be submitted.
SOFIA (Support Of Female Improvising Artists) takes up an idea from the American support program "Sisters in Jazz", which was set up for the further musical training of female jazz musicians, but adds an important component: In addition to artistic profiling, the aim is to promote the networking and self-marketing of young female musicians.
The initiator of the transnational project (Switzerland, Germany, France) is jazz musician Nicole Johänntgen. Partners in Switzerland are Helvetiarockt, the Office for Gender Equality of the Canton of Zurich, the Office for Gender Equality & Diversity of the Zurich University of the Arts, and Migros Culture Percentage. Private investors from the other two countries and EU cultural funding are also involved. SOFIA will take place for the first time in 2014 and every two years thereafter.
Applications for 2014
Young female musicians (age limit 30 years/completed studies or student status) in the fields of jazz and improvisation from Germany, France and Switzerland should apply by the end of November 2013 online. An international jury will select two students from each country in December. From March 6 to 24, 2014, business courses, music workshops and concerts will then take place in Germany, Switzerland and France. Topics such as booking, PR, music physiology, moderation, label work, copyrights, media training and music physiology will be covered. In addition, the participants will rehearse their own compositions as the SOFIA Band 2014 under the guidance of international jazz musicians, which they will perform at concerts. Participation is free of charge. No fee will be paid to the SOFIA participants for concert performances. Travel, accommodation and catering costs are paid. Registration deadline is November 30, 2013.
